Broken Cantilever, what would you do?

Posted by davidbeinct (A) on July 24, 2014 at 06:22:17

Ouch! I can't get a straight answer about what might have happened, but the cantilever on the brand new to me Ortofon X-3 MC has snapped. Cat, or kids? Not sure. I do know I need to get a dustcover for my Thorens TD150.

When the cartridge was running, I did like it a lot. Sweet and musical midrange yet nicely detailed, I felt it was a bargain for ca. $150. But...

Is it worth sending off for a new cantilever? I'd basically have to put in at least as much as I paid for the cartridge. Also, I'm still playing around with the idea of replacing the Kugel arm on the deck with something, not sure what though.

Here are three ideas, please let me know your thoughts. I am also open to more.

1. Fix cartridge, enjoy deck.

2. Get a new arm and build a system up around it. My thoughts are leaning towards a low mass arm and a low output Grado from the Statement series, probably the Sonata. The reason I'm leaning this way is the table is from the era when low and ultra-low mass arms were the rage so I would expect more synergy than from any of the Rega and Rega variant arms. Also, Parasound specifically says the 47Kohm "MC" input will work well with the Grado Statement series, so I'd expect some system synergy there.

3. Get a new cartridge, probably go Low Output Moving Coil this time. I have a phono stage that will work with this, although the reviews of my preamp say the MM stage is the much more musical, so ultimately I'd probably want to try a SUT.

Those are my ideas, love to hear some input.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Topic - Broken Cantilever, what would you do? - davidbeinct 06:22:17 07/24/14 (23)

Sure fix the cart - Goober58 17:56:12 07/24/14 (0)

RE: Broken Cantilever, what would you do? - BCR 17:10:44 07/24/14 (3)

What's your definition of high mass? - Rick W 16:25:54 07/25/14 (2)

RE: What's your definition of high mass? - BCR 16:47:52 07/25/14 (1)

Yeah, that's definitely into high mass territory, and does seem too heavy for Grado. nt - Rick W 21:44:54 07/25/14 (0)

RE: Broken Cantilever = next stage..... - Solidcore 12:14:28 07/24/14 (0)

RE: maybe keep it reasonable..... - user510 11:46:02 07/24/14 (2)

+1 - dean man jim 17:04:06 07/24/14 (1)

Kids say it wasn't them - davidbeinct 06:52:33 07/25/14 (0)

It's a Sign from God to Upgrade - Stitch 10:44:55 07/24/14 (0)

RE: Broken Cantilever, what would you do? - SgreenP@MSN.com 09:51:24 07/24/14 (0)

Had a Blue Point that whose cantilever would fail - jedrider 09:28:00 07/24/14 (0)

List it on ebay: LIKE NEW - LOW HOURS!!! - Bry 08:25:25 07/24/14 (1)

RE:LOL!!! nt - Travis 08:48:06 07/24/14 (0)

Low eff. mass arms are not a good match with Grado wood bodies. - Rick W 08:19:51 07/24/14 (5)

Agree. I tried a Statement Platinum in a 7.7 g JMW-9 - Opus 33 1/3 14:00:11 07/24/14 (0)

RE: Low eff. mass arms are not a good match with Grado wood bodies. - davidbeinct 10:08:18 07/24/14 (1)

Yeah, they can be non-commital about this sometimes. But when I bought my Master....... - Rick W 10:53:20 07/24/14 (0)

RE: Low eff. mass arms are not a good match with Grado wood bodies. - spindoctor 09:16:08 07/24/14 (0)

RE: Low eff. mass arms are not a good match with Grado wood bodies. - davidbeinct 08:36:52 07/24/14 (0)

Match the tonearm to the cartridge, not to the table - Lew 08:13:28 07/24/14 (0)

RE: Broken Cantilever, what would you do? - abs1 07:11:16 07/24/14 (0)

If you do like the Ortofon, sounds like time to contact Peter at SoundSmith. - Opus 33 1/3 07:10:54 07/24/14 (0)

Broken Cantilever, what would you do?

Post a Message!